# NTSB MIA92LA109: Stoltzfus Stileto MK II, N3169Q, Cross City, FL, April 12, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1992, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Cross City, FL
- Coordinates: 29.630901, -83.119331 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6309&lon=-83.1193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33084
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33084/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA109

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL DURING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING DUE TO A LOSS OF VISUAL REFERENCES. THE WEATHER WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- Miscellaneous/other, other
  - rescue - delayed

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS BRIEFED BEFORE DEPARTURE THAT MARGINAL VFR WX CONDITIONS EXISTED FOR THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT. DURING CRUISE FLT, THE FLT WAS VFR ON TOP OF A LAYER OF CLOUDS. THE PLT DESCENDED THROUGH A HOLE IN THE CLOUDS, AND WHILE MANEUVERING TO A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING THE FLT ENCOUNTERED FOG. THE PLT LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT & CRASHED. THE AIRPLANE WAS LOCATED AT 1835, APRX 6 HRS 48 MIN AFTER THE FIRST ELT SIGNAL WAS RECEIVED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3169Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3169Q-2013-10-29), registration cancelled 2013-10-29, S/N 001, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STOLTZFUS STILETO MK II (STILETO MK)
- Registry model: [Stoltzfus John B STILETO MK II](https://openairdocs.org/model/stoltzfus-john-b-stileto-mk-ii) (registry code 05618W1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Subaru ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/subaru-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 59050, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Airframe hours: 85
- Engines: SUBARU EA81 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stoltzfus, John B.
- Registered owner: Stoltzfus, John B.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1992, 15 hours before
- Departed: LAL, LAKELAND, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TLH, 80 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920412009559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920412009559A), Apr 12, 1992: Cross City, FL, Substantial damage. Let down thru hole in clouds to find airport to land due to MVFR wx. On downwind flew into fog and lost control.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.